PUTRAJAYA: Heat stress is more than just a workplace health hazard as it can impair concentration and increase the risk of accidents, says Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) director-general Hazlina Yon (pic).
She said the health risk should not be underestimated, although only eight occupational heat stress-related cases were recorded by the department between 2017 and 2025.
“Besides affecting workers’ health, heat stress can also reduce concentration and work performance. This can leave workers more susceptible to workplace accidents,” she said in an interview.
She noted that prolonged exposure to high temperatures could cause dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, fainting and ultimately heatstroke, which could prove fatal if left untreated.
Hazlina said workers exposed to scorching outdoor conditions for prolonged periods, as well as those working close to heat-generating equipment, are among those facing the highest risk.
She said the issue warrants greater attention as increasingly hot weather could further expose workers in several industries to heat stress.
The sectors most vulnerable to heat stress include construction, agriculture, plantations, manufacturing and occupations involving prolonged outdoor work, she added.
She warned that employers who fail to properly manage workplace heat stress risks could face fines of up to RM500,000, jail time of up to two years, or both under Section 15 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
She had previously chaired DOSH’s committee responsible for reviewing and strengthening guidelines on workplace heat stress management before an enhanced version was issued in 2017.
She said the enhanced guidelines aimed to provide employers with a comprehensive technical reference to identify, assess and control heat stress risks before they occur.
The guidelines include a risk-scoring system to help employers determine the severity of heat exposure faced by workers.
“Our guidelines encourage employers to carry out proper risk assessments and take appropriate measures to ensure workers’ health and safety. If the hazard score exceeds five points, employers should seek expert advice and carry out a more detailed assessment,” Hazlina said.
She added that the assessment takes into account not only the surrounding temperature but also factors such as workload, duration of exposure, workers’ health conditions, ventilation and the use of personal protective equipment.
Among the guidelines’ recommendations are ensuring adequate hydration for workers, improving workplace ventilation and conducting health surveillance and medical screenings to identify employees vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
For workplaces with higher heat exposure, Hazlina said employers should improve insulation around heat-generating equipment, limit the number of workers in high-heat areas and stagger working hours.
She said employers should also strengthen workplace supervision and ensure emergency response procedures are in place.
